The Surgery

We have now received and reviewed our 2008/9 National Survey Results. Whilst overall the results are good/satisfactory there are some areas where we need to improve.

It is clear that some patients are not up to date with the services and current operation of the Practice. To improve this understanding for the future I have decided to issue a Patient Newsletter with further issues to be provided in the future.

EXTENDED HOURS

Since October 2008 we have opened on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (until 8.00pm) for GP appointments only, as well as continuing with our Saturday morning Surgeries (8.30 to 12 noon) for both GP and Practice nurse appointments.

The National contract requires these EXTENDED HOURS times to be dedicated to provide pre-booked appointments rather than the ‘urgent surgeries’ (that was formerly the position on Saturday mornings.)

Whilst the number of appointments is limited A FULL RECEPTION SERVICE is available during all Extended Hours periods including:

• Collection of Prescriptions
• Booking of future appointments
• Checking Test Results
• Registration for New Patients

SEEING THE DOCTOR YOU PREFER

It is appreciated that most patients would like the continuity of seeing the same GP.However; we have to balance this against the needs of the full practice population which currently numbers just over 14000.

We are fortunate to have both male and female GP’s, which can also influence a patient’s preference, and we do book appointments up to 4 weeks in advance to enable patients with chronic medical problems to re-book a ‘follow up’ appointment with the same GP if required.

If you have an acute medical problem however, it is expected that you will see any of the GP that have ‘available’ appointments and this may include the Daily Duty Doctor.

TELEPHONE APPOINTMENTS

We offer telephone appointments for GPs and Practice Nurses which are available for patients (or Clinicians) to book where a ‘face to face’ meeting is not essential.

The Doctor or nurse will telephone you at home or at work at an approximately agreed time and this saves the use of face to face appointments. These calls are in addition to the usual patient slots.

APPOINTMENT WAIT TIMES

It is appreciated that appointment time slots will on occasions ‘slip’ meaning that a patient will be seen later than the expected time booking.

This usually means that the GP (or Nurse) has needed to spend more time with a patient than planned. This could be due to needing to organise emergency care or admission to hospital.

Wait times can become protracted and we ask for your patience especially busy days (e.g. Mondays and post bank holidays) and on all days where you have been given an appointment with the ‘Duty Doctor’.

TEST RESULTS

Many of our results are now reported ‘electronically’ which means they are received quicker but the GP needs time to review and annotate the result before the Reception staff can advise individual patients of the outcome.

We continue to see patients regularly contact us before the result has been reviewed and I would suggest  that a minimum of 7 working days is left between the test ( blood test, x-ray ultrasound etc) unless the GP as requested it urgently, before contacting us.

Our ‘Test Results’ telephone message advises patients to telephone for results between 11.00am and 12.45pm and between 5.00pm and 6.30pm.This is so we can concentrate on supporting the patients, doctors and nurses during the main clinic times and it also prevents patients waiting for substantial times in a telephone queue. We aim to respond quicker within these dedicated times.

FEEDBACK

If you wish to give feedback on this Newsletter of any aspect of the Surgery please contact

David Walker

Practice Manager

 SWINE FLU VACCINATIONS

 Due to the substantial numbers of patients in the 'at risk' categories specified by the DOH it is taking longer to 'call ' all eligible patients for this vaccination programme.Please also be aware that we are instructed to immunise te under 65's first.We will invite all appropriate patients as sson as possible.